Light + Intelligent Building North America: A New Era Begins for Lighting and Building Integration
Messe Frankfurt, in partnership with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), has officially launched Light + Intelligent Building North America—a biennial trade show debuting in Las Vegas in 2027, followed by Philadelphia in 2029.
In an interview yesterday, your humble editor spoke with:
- Colleen Harper, Executive Director and CEO, IES
- Andrea Hartranft, President, IALD
- Kristy Moore, Vice President, Light + Building, Messe Frankfurt North America
- Latoya Gooding, Show Director, Light + Intelligent Building North America
“This is not LightFair under a new name,” Colleen declared. “It’s a completely new show built for a transformed industry. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We chose to start fresh.”
A Launch, Not a Rebrand
The decision to create a new event—rather than rebrand LightFair—stems from a clear market gap.
“LightFair had lost momentum post-COVID,” Colleen explained. “More critically, the name does not resonates with the IT, integration, and building-systems professionals we need to reach. Lighting doesn’t exist in a silo—and neither should its flagship event.”
Light + Intelligent Building North America aligns with Messe Frankfurt’s global portfolio, including Light + Building Frankfurt and Light + Intelligent Building Middle East. A worldwide sales and media tour begins in 2025 to recruit exhibitors and build momentum.
Quality Over Quantity: A Curated Show Floor
“We’re implementing a rigorous vetting process,” Latoya said. “Only qualified, reputable companies will exhibit. This isn’t about filling booths—it’s about showcasing excellence.”
The show floor will be segmented for clarity:
- Lighting
- Intelligent Building Systems
- Components & Materials
- Controls & Software
“This layout makes navigation intuitive,” Latoya added. “Attendees find what they need. Exhibitors connect with the right buyers.”
A Broader Vision: Lighting-Forward, Integration-First
Andrea summed it up:
“This isn’t a regional show. It’s a national platform powered by global expertise. It’s lighting-forward, but deliberately not lighting-only.”
The inclusion of “Intelligent Building” is strategic. “Those words change everything,” Latoya noted. “No other North American event truly bridges lighting and building systems under one roof.”
Biennial Rhythm, Data-Driven Design
The event runs every two years: first in Las Vegas at the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2027, then moving to Philadelphia in 2029.
“Data, not hope, drove this decision,” Colleen said. IES, IALD, and Messe Frankfurt analyzed post-pandemic attendance trends, exhibitor ROI feedback, competitive event overlap, and rising integration demand from specifiers and facility managers.
Kristy confirmed: “We have an aggressive marketing and sales roadmap—new programs roll out quarterly starting Q1 2025.”
A Clean Slate—and a Strategic Archive
The LightFair trademark remains jointly owned but retired. “It stays dormant to prevent misuse,” Kristy said. “This is a full reset.”
The Las Vegas debut leverages the Central Hall’s upgraded infrastructure. “We control the lighting,” Kristy enthused. “Full dimming flexibility opens creative possibilities—yes, even a potential return of the ‘Dark Show.’”
Industry Unity and Enthusiasm
The IES Board approved the partnership. “I can’t overstate our excitement,” Colleen said. “North America has needed this for years.”
Andrea agreed: “This is progressive, forward-thinking, and unifying. It strengthens both IALD and IES—and the industry as a whole.”
Kristy closed: “The market demanded evolution. Light + Intelligent Building North America delivers it—with innovation, professionalism, and collaboration at its core.”
Mark your calendar: Light + Intelligent Building North America debuts Spring 2027 in Las Vegas.
EdisonReport was quite critical of the 2025 LightFair. Our complaints date back to 2019 and you can read them here. This isn’t just a new show. It’s the convergence the industry has been waiting for.